Tag Archives: bangkok

Two Major Golf Events in Thailand this month

Thailand will be the centre of attention when the DP World Tour and the LPGA arrive in the land of the smiles shortly. The DP World tour is returning to Thailand after an absence of seven years when the US$2Million Thailand Classic arrives at Amata Springs on February 16th to 19th. This DP World Tour event is part of their full schedule and it has attracted a strong international field including Robert Macintyre, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Andy Sullivan, Andrew ‘Beef” Johnston, and ex Ryder Cup captai...

Night Golf In Thailand Is Over!

June marks the end for night golf in Thailand as courses such Panya Indra in Bangkok, Laem Chabang in Pattaya, and Summit Green Valley in Chiang Mai shut off their lights in exchange for low priced summer golf days. The night Thai golf season typically runs from November to May, where you can tee-off anywhere from 3-7 PM and finish by midnight! That’s right golf in Thailand until midnight is not only possible, it is fun and affordable.  Green fees run around $30-40 US Dollars. My favorite ...

Golf In Bangkok

Bangkok is an enchanting city with rich golf, culture and attractions. It is known as an international golf destination for its diversity of 60 golf courses, year-round golfing weather, delicious food, numerous attractions, and most of all friendly people. Bangkok was voted “World’s Best City” by Travel +Leisure magazine in 2010. The championship golf courses and vibrant streets of Bangkok never stop to amaze vising golfers. Courses such as Thai Country Club, where Tiger Woods cruised to a 10 s...

After the 18th hole in Bangkok

A round of golf usually finishes at the 18th hole at most golf clubs. Then it’s off home for a cup of tea or a hot chocolate before bed. Well one of the pleasures of taking a Bangkok golf holiday is the fun just does not stop at the Bangkok golf course. Bangkok not only has over 60 golf courses, but it is also known globally for its excellent shopping, great cultural attractions, great spa and massage, and of course a wide variety of restaurants and night life. The great thing about Bangkok is i...

What Makes a Great Golfing Experience in Thailand?

I read recently that a large percentage of golfers in Europe don’t feel they are getting their monies worth during their round of golf. High green fees, poor quality of locker rooms, badly maintained greens, slow playing conditions. These are a few of their gripes. Here in Thailand I think playing golf is a lot more laid back than playing say in Europe, so maybe we don’t expect too much. But we all expect our round of golf to go smoothly. Bangkok is in fact spoilt for choice when it comes to fi...

Young Guns in Thailand

On May 11th-13th 80 youngsters will line up at the Rose Garden Country Club near Bangkok to contest the 9th Mercedes Trophy Junior Golf Masters. These juniors aged between 12 and 18 years old have had to win through seven qualifying rounds held at various courses around Thailand, to get into this final and the winners will be then flown to Portugal for the Oceanico World Kids Golf Championship in July. Everyone keeps saying for golf to survive, we have to encourage youngsters into the game. Wel...

New Golf Gem of Thailand

With over 280 golf courses across Thailand, the Kingdom is already spoilt for choice, so it is a very pleasant surprise, when a new club opens that really does have something different to offer. The Royal Gems Golf City located just 35 minutes from the centre of Bangkok, has just finished the first phase of the proposed largest golf complex in Thailand. Known as the Dream Arena, it is the first replica golf course in Asia. Designed by  Ron Garl who was also responsible for Alpine Golf in ...

Masteritist at Fever Pitch Here in Bangkok

Well I did try everything to kick this dreadful disease…..but in the end the power of seeing a certain 21 year old from Northern Ireland win a green jacket, meant I woke up at 1.45hrs this morning in Bangkok and turned on the TV to watch the 75th Masters. If you were a Hollywood script writer I don’t think you could come up with such a dream finish. At one stage there were seven players tied for the lead! Of course initially I was rooting for Rory McIlroy, but he seemed to disintegrate on...

Thai Golf After The Meeting

With positive signs that the global economy is at last showing signs of improvement, many companies are now scheduling overseas trips again, which means sending their staff back on the road and the Thai capital is again flooded with businessmen. But with a close eye on the bottom line costs, travel budgets are tight and gone are the chances of grabbing a few extra nights in Bangkok to fit in a couple of rounds of golf with the local VP or sales agents! In Thailand golf and business however are ...

Major Winners in Asia

Sometimes everything just falls into place and as a journalist, all the travelling and waiting around just pays off. Being based here in Bangkok, the big names on the professional circuit tend to side step playing in our local tournaments, perhaps with the exception of the popular Royal Trophy. Therefore twice a year I need to stock up with pictures and stories by covering the bigger events here in Asia. On Tuesday I therefore flew to Kuala Lumpur. This week was very unusual, as the 50th running...

Masteritist… a Very Serious Golfers Disease

I thought I was really suffering big time over the past five days, with what I thought might have been the dreaded Asian flu. Blame it on the changeable weather we have been having over here in Thailand, but I had the mother of all coughs, a cold and just lost all my energy. Swallowing all antibiotics under the sun, it just would not go away, and I was really getting concerned. One of the problems that goes with flu and a bad cough, is you really don't get into a deep sleeping pattern, so I ...

Masters Means Armchair Golf This Week

With the low season here in Thailand just started, the green fees are now reasonable, the weather is still very pleasant and the courses are exceptionally green. This is a great time to get the clubs out of the cupboard and head to one of 280 wonderful golf courses dotted around this beautiful country. The Koreans have returned home to play in the own back yard so the courses are also not too busy. But I am afraid this will not be enough to entice me away from my home this week. No I have ...

Bangkok Weaves It’s Magic Spell

I have now lived here in Bangkok for over a year, so perhaps do not class myself as a ‘tourist’. However last week some international media descended into Thailand and I was invited to join them for an evening of culture. I therefore became a tourist for the night. First stop was Siam Nirimit billed as ‘The Must See Show in Thailand.’ Siam Niramit is a world-class performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. Set in the heart of Bangkok it is close to the MRT and major thoroughfares...

It’s not all golf you know…..well almost

Golf for many of us is a very serious addiction. We have to have our regular fix! Come rain or shine, business meetings or trade exhibitions, we will make all the excuses needed to arrange that very crucial meeting which just happens to clash. That is our ‘speak’ for sod it I am going to play a round of golf anyway. Here in Thailand a lot of business is conducted on the golf course and in some companies, it is seen as an actual asset if you can play golf. There are corporate tournaments, amateu...

Hole in one – Thailand Golf

Thailand Golf Vacation Arnold Palmer in 1986 got a hole in one during practice at a tournament, so a film crew turned up for the next day during the pro am, and told him they wanted to see if he could do it again. He got out his 5 iron and amazing Arnie got his second hole in one on the same hole. Two days running! David Toms got one at a Major on and went on to win the PGA as a result. Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee aced the 181-yard, par-3 fifth hole Saturday for the seventh hole-in-one in fi...

Old Age Pensioner Breaks Golf Record In Bangkok

Having written my blogs covering other golfers making news for the past few months, please accept my apologies if this time I blow my own trumpet. Firstly I admit that I am not a good golfer. My handicap registered by the Emirates Golf Federation a few years back is a mere 28, although some of my friends call me a bandit. Here in Thailand I normally average 105 on my card, and that is tough going as it seems I am apparently allergic to sand! In fact as a journalist, I try to write my articles an...

What Makes A Great Golf Vacation In Asia Even Better

For a lucky few of us, vacations are taken several times a year. But for most of us we can only grab the odd week or maybe a fortnight away to play our golf. Not everyone in the family is going to get excited, when you tell them you plan another family vacation, where you will travel miles to find your ultimate 18 holes. OK I think we have found the answer to your predicament, the Kingdom of Smiles, namely Thailand. I am positive it will not be hard to persuade you to experience Thailand’s marv...

Playing Golf in Thailand

We all like to experience playing a round of golf in a different part of the world, so if you are used to playing in the cold regions of Europe or the States, then you are in for a treat when you arrive here in the Kingdom of Thailand. Their tourist adverts promote Thailand as the Land of Smiles and they are very proud to promote vacations in their country, especially golf holidays. It’s not surprising as there are over 250 golf course scattered across the country. You cannot beat playing a rou...

Why We Like to Play Golf in Thailand?

Apart from over 280 wonderful golf courses to select, the fantastic variety of layouts from seaside to mountain tracks, plus those smiling caddies, Thailand also has on offer a great climate too! When I lived in the UAE, only Mad Dogs and Englishmen would venture out to play a round of golf between June and September, when the temperatures rose to 52 degrees centigrade. Russian and Korean golfers also have a limited number of months to play due to their severe winters. Thailand is luckily differ...

You Are Never Too Old to Play a Competitive Game of Golf in Thail

For the majority of sports, age definitely does become a handicap. For example it is highly unlikely that a 58 year old can easily have a fair chance of beating a 20 year old at tennis. The youngster will most likely run circles around the older guy. Although an older player maybe able to score a great goal in soccer, he is most likely to run out of steam and will ask the manager to take him off after half an hour for a breather. Whereas Golf is one of the sports that is truly a game for all age...

Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You

Those who have visited Thailand agree that it is almost impossible to explain for those who haven’t.  Different.  Even just plan weird.  The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s official slogan of ‘Amazing Thailand’ sums it up fairly well though comes off as just another cheeky marketing slogan until you’ve actually experienced it. Even among Asian cultures it stands out as unique. Thailand is one of the few places in Asia that has never been under the rule or dominance of a wester...